Storm survive Bunnies fightback

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South Sydney Rabbitohs v Melbourne Storm

Storm survive Bunnies fightback

Four tries by South Sydney winger Alex Johnston were not enough to get the Rabbitohs the win against a rare ill-disciplined Melbourne Storm outfit.

The Storm hung on in the end though to escape with a one point victory in Golden Point, courtesy of a field goal by fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen, who had a rather mixed performance.

The Storm got off to a flying start, with all signs suggesting they were about to rack up a cricket score. In just the third minute of the game, Harry Grant picked up the ball from dummy half 3 metres from the Bunnies line, then literally jogged through a gap and scored a frightfully soft and easy try. Papenhuyzen converted.

From the restart, Melbourne shifted the ball left  to Grant Anderson, who made a break down the sideline before kicking back in-field where the ball bounced perfectly for Jahrome Hughes, who regathered and scored under the posts. Papenhuyzen converted and the Storm led 12-0 after 6 minutes.

Both sides slugged it out in the middle and play become quite ill-disciplined and impatient from both ends. The Bunnies though got on the board in the 26th minute when Latrell Mitchell dished a great no-look flat ball to the unmarked Alex Johnston, who went in to score. Mitchell failed to convert from the sideline.

Just before the half came to an end, Anderson looked certain to score in the corner but Jai Arrow's tackle knocked the ball loose, just in the knick of time. Melbourne led 12-4 at the break.

Souths wasted no time putting the scoreboard attendant to work after the break when Mitchell sent a great ball to Johnston who dived over for his second try in the corner. Mitchell again failed to convert from the difficult angle.

Just four minutes later, Tyrone Munro made a break down the right wing but was brought down. On the next play the Bunnies spread the ball left and Mitchell produced a lovely draw and cut-out pass to Johnston who scores his third try. Mitchell converts to give the Rabbitohs the lead for the first time in the game.

In the 52nd minute the Storm spread the ball left out to Anderson who slipped down the sideline to score in the corner. Papenhuyzen's sideline conversion shaved the inside of the upright and went through.

Souths regained the lead just a few minutes later when Johnston snatched an intercept 30 metres from the Storm line and raced in to score his fourth try. Mitchell converted.

With 10 minutes remaining, Sualauvi Faalogo brilliant caught a bomb and then weaved his way through the Souths defence, ran deep into the South Sydney half and turned the ball inside to Tyran Wishart in support, who raced away to score. Papenhuyzen converted.

With three minutes remaining in the game, Mitchell put in a cheeky grubber very early in the set for Munro, who regathers cleanly and strolls in to score a clever try. Mitchell failed to convert. Mitchell took a pressure shot at field goal from 49 metres out, struck it sweetly but it was just wide of the mark. At fulltime the scores were level at 24 all.

Both side had a set each, both opting to put up a deep bomb from halfway on their last tackle. It was the Storm though who got the first real attacking opportunity in the 82nd minute. Papenhuyzen took a shot at field goal but it was charged down. Melbourne got the ball back and a minute later, Papenhuyzen slotted the match-winning field goal to give Souths a 25-24 victory.